Thanks to the efforts of officers and many other members over the last few weeks, I can proudly say that we have successfully registered our candidate for the Botany by-election.

The Returning Officer announced this afternoon the 10 candidates who will be on the ballot. Top of the list: AL-SAADY Hussain, Pirate Party of New Zealand.

The absence of a Green Party candidate on the list emphasizes that this is not always a straightforward process, even for an established Party. Three weeks ago, we didn't even have a constitution, let alone a willing candidate or bond, along with all the necessary paperwork and hoops you have to jump through. Since then we have written and ratified the Constitution, voted on and selected a candidate, and filled in various forms and letters, visited the Returning Office three times in order to get everything right - and we still had 3 full days to spare.

We are now focussed on the campaign. Advance voting starts on Feb 16, and polling day is on March 5.

This is a big step for a small Party, but even so, it is but a stepping stone on the way to our goal of contesting the Party vote in the November general election. Another 472 members, and we can get there.

PPNZ in the news: Howick and Pakuranga Times NBR Times Online NZ Herald Political Dumpground Blog 3 News Howick and Botany Times Radio NZ News Newstalk ZB